New Guinea impatiens plant named &#39;SAKIMP021&#39;

ABSTRACT

A New Guinea  Impatiens  plant particularly distinguished by having pink flowers, a strong root system, and vigorous plant growth habit, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Impatiens hybrida hort

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘SAKIMP021’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of New Guinea Impatiens, botanically known as Impatiens hybrida hort, and referred to by the variety name ‘SAKIMP021’. ‘SAKIMP021’ originated from a hybridization between the female Impatiens plant ‘NG-02SM-1 3’ (unpatented) and the male Impatiens plant ‘EL-1A-1’ (unpatented) in Misato, Japan.

In June 2005, the female parent plant ‘NG-02SM-1 3’ and the male parent plant ‘EL-1A-1’ were crossed and a population of F₁ plants was created. The F₁ plants were evaluated in Misato, Japan in an open field trial. The criteria for plant selection included a pink flower color, strong root system, and a vigorous plant growth habit. At the completion of the trial, one single-plant selection was made based on the above criteria and vegetatively propagated. From May 2006 to August 2006, the selection was evaluated in an open field in Misato, Japan. Shoot-tip cuttings of the variety were then shipped to Salinas, Calif., where the plants were regenerated and reevaluated for stability of traits. The selection subsequently was named ‘SAKIMP021’ and found to have its unique characteristics reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Salinas, Calif.

1. Pink flower color;

2. Strong root system; and

3. Vigorous plant growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Impatiens plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are five months from propagation by terminal cutting in Salinas, Calif., under greenhouse conditions.

FIG. 1 shows overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage.

FIG. 2 shows the mature inflorescence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘SAKIMP021’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Salinas, Calif. The plant history was taken on plants grown for about five months from propagation by terminal cuttings under greenhouse conditions. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 4^(th) Edition (2001). Anatomic labels are from The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms, by M. Hickey and C. King, Cambridge University Press.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Balsaminaceae.         -   Botanical.—Impatiens hybrida hort.         -   Denomination.—‘SAKIMP021’.         -   Common name.—Impatiens. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary Impatiens plant ‘NG-02SM-1 3’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary Impatiens plant ‘EL-1A-1’             (unpatented). -   Growth:     -   -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—The terminal 1.0 inches to             1.5 inches of an actively growing stem was excised. The             vegetative cuttings were propagated in five to six weeks.             The base of each cutting was dipped for one to two seconds             in a 1:9 solution of Dip ‘N Grow (1 solution: 9 water) root             inducing solution immediately prior to sticking into the             cell trays. Cuttings were stuck into plastic cell trays             having ninety-eight cells, and containing a moistened peat             moss-based growing medium. The cuttings were misted with             water from overhead for ten seconds every thirty minutes             until sufficient roots were formed.         -   Environmental conditions for plant growth.—Rooted cuttings             were transplanted and grown in 6-inch plastic pots in a             glass greenhouse located in Salinas, Calif. Pots contained a             peat moss-based growing medium. Soluble fertilizer             containing 20% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 20% potassium             was applied once a day or every other day by overhead             irrigation. Plants were fertilized every two to three days,             two times in consecutive applications and then given one             clear water application. Pots were top-dressed with a dry,             slow release fertilizer containing 14% nitrogen, 14%             phosphorus, and 14% potassium. The typical average air             temperature was 24° C. -   Plant description:     -   -   Habit.—Vigorous.         -   Life cycle.—Tender perennial.         -   Height.—35.0 cm from soil line to top of foliage.         -   Spread.—60.0 cm.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 4 weeks.         -   Time to bloom from propagation.—6 to 8 weeks.         -   Flowering requirements.—Will flower so long as temperature             is above 5° C.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Plants have been observed as             continuously flowering in a temperature range of 5° C. to             36° C.; plants can withstand high heat and humidity. -   Branches:     -   -   Number.—3 main branches, 8 total branches.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.0 cm from soil line to first node;             approximately 6.0 cm from first node to second node;             approximately 30.0 cm total.         -   Diameter (main branch).—1.0 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 187A (Greyed-Purple). -   Stems:     -   -   Length.—16.0 cm to 18.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.6 cm.         -   Internode length.—9.0 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 144A (Yellow-Green) and RHS 187A (Greyed-Purple).         -   Stem description.—Strong; circular cross-section, smooth and             shiny.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 187A (Greyed-Purple). -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled with up to 5 leaves per node, opposite             if only 2 leaves at 1 node.         -   Length.—14.0 cm.         -   Width.—4.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate, curled.         -   Margin.—Ciliate; also slightly serrate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Texture.—Dull; waxy.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Closest to RHS 137A (Green) Lower             surface: RHS 138A (Green).         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Pubescence.—Glabrous.         -   Variegation (both upper and lower surfaces).—Absent.         -   Venation.—Pinnate.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 138C (Green) Lower             surface: RHS 138D (Green).         -   Petioles.—Length: 1.0 cm Diameter: 0.4 cm Color: RHS 138D             (Green) Texture: Smooth, glabrous. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Shape.—Deltoid, longitudinal cross-section.         -   Length.—2.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 59C (Red-Purple) and RHS 143C (Green).         -   Texture.—Glabrous. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Blooming habit.—Will flower as long as the temperature is             above 5° C.         -   Inflorescence type.—Single flower with spur.         -   Number of flowers per node.—1 to 3 flowers in bloom; about 4             to 6 flower buds per node.         -   Number of flowers per plant.—Approximately 14 in bloom.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—14 days.         -   Fragrance.—Absent. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—4.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 73B (Red-Purple).         -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous. -   Corolla:     -   -   Shape.—Roughly circular with 5 radial petals.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 6.0 cm.         -   Depth.—1.0 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Shape.—Obcordate.         -   Length.—2.0 cm.         -   Width.—2.5 cm.         -   Apex.—Emarginate (cleaved).         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 73A (Red-Purple) Lower surface:             Closest to RHS 73B (Red-Purple) Eye zone: Closest to RHS 73A             (Red-Purple). -   Spur:     -   -   Shape.—Tubular, curved downward.         -   Color.—Closest to RHS 73B (Red-Purple).         -   Length.—4.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm. -   Sepals:     -   -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Number.—2.         -   Color.—RHS 139D (Green).         -   Length.—1.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.5 cm.         -   Apex.—Caudate.         -   Base.—Subcordate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Glabrous. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Form: Fused; split into 4 lobes Number: Many             Filament length: 0.5 cm Filament color: RHS 73D (Red-Purple)             Anther length: 0.4 cm Anther color: RHS 155A (White) Pollen             amount: Abundant Pollen color: RHS 155D (White) Pollen             description: Powdery.         -   Pistil.—Number: 5 Stigma color: RHS 143A (Green) Style             color: RHS 143A (Green) Style length: 0.5 cm.         -   Ovary arrangement.—Parietal.         -   Ovary surface color.—RHS 143A (Green). -   Fruit and seed set: No seed set observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or     susceptibility has been observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘SAKIMP021’ is similar to the female parent ‘NG-02SM-1 3’ and the male parent ‘EL-1A-1’; however, there is a difference as listed in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Comparison of Characteristics between ‘SAKIMP021’ and Parental Varieties Male Parent Female Parent Characteristic ‘SAKIMP021’ ‘EL-1A-1’ ‘NG-02SM-1 3’ Flower color Pink Lilac Orange

‘SAKIMP021’ is similar to the commercial Impatiens variety ‘SAKIMP006’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,501); however, there are differences as listed in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison of Characteristics between ‘SAKIMP021’ and ‘SAKIMP006’ Characteristic ‘SAKIMP021’ ‘SAKIMP006’ Petal color, upper surface RHS 73A RHS N74B (Red-Purple) (Red-Purple) Petal color, lower surface Closest to RHS 73B RHS N74C (Red-Purple) (Red-Purple) with RHS N74A vein between petal lobes Petal color, eye zone Closest to RHS 73A RHS N74A (Red-Purple) (Red-Purple) 

1. A new and distinct variety of New Guinea Impatiens plant as shown and described herein. 